GOAT TYING

GOAT TYING
I. Time Limit:
There will be a thirty (30) second time limit with optional one (1)
minute time limit at state/province rodeos. There will be a mandatory
thirty (30) second time limit at the National High School Finals
Rodeo.
II. General Rules:
1. Starting lines in goat tying will be subject to ground rules.

2. A clearly visible starting line shall be provided.
3. The stake and the starting line will be permanently marked for the
entire go- round.
4. A contestant may change horses in this event.
5. A contestant may enter the arena at the speed of her choice.
6. Arena permitting, the gate will be in the center between the two
goats allowing each contestant the same length run at the goat.
7. Arena gate must be closed immediately after she enters the arena
and kept closed.
8. Time to be taken between two flags.
9. Time will start when the horse’s nose crosses the starting line.
10. Tie all goats down three (3) times before the Rodeo.
11. Have collars the same and snug. Ropes the same length. Goats the
same size and weight.
12. Flagmen stand in identical places each performance.
13. Goats to be tied; right, left, right and left. (This will be posted on
the stock draw). This will be reversed on next go. All goats used in the
draw to be tied a maximum of five (5) runs before another run on the
goats can begin.
14. During Goat Tying, the arena will be dragged at regular intervals,
to be determined by the Arena Director.
15. Goat handlers must stand directly behind goat. Judges and directors
will position themselves so they are able to have a clear view of
the goat rope and horse.
III. Event Rules:
1. This event is open to girls only.
2. There should be at least a 15-yard starting line.
3. Starting line will be 100 feet from stake.
4. The goat should be tied to a stake with a rope ten feet in length.
5. Stake should be completely under the ground so that no part of it is
visible or above ground.
6. The contestant must be mounted on a horse when entering the
arena and must ride from the starting line to the goat, dismount from
her horse, throw the goat by hand, cross, wrap and tie by hand, at
least three (3) feet together with a leather string, pigging string or
rope. No wire is to be used in the goat string.
7. If the goat is down when the contestant reaches it, goat must be elevated
high enough that it has the opportunity to regain its feet and
then stand clear of the goat when the tie is finished.
8. Legs must remain crossed and secure for 6 seconds after completion
of tie. While the judge is performing the 6- second procedure, the contestant
will make no gestures, motions or noises to distract the goat.
This will be considered trying to take an unfair advantage and will
result in a disqualification.

9. To qualify as a legal tie, there will be at least one complete wrap
around at least three legs, and a half hitch, hooey or knot. The contestant
must tie the goat by hand with no pre-made wraps, coils,
knots, hooeys or half hitch.
10. Time will start when the horse’s nose crosses the starting line.
11. Time will stop when she signals the completion of the tie.
12. The contestant must move back three (3) feet from the goat before
the judge will start the six (6) second time limit on the tie - for the
goat’s legs to remain crossed and tied. If contestant gets rope that is
holding goat wrapped around her leg, she may ask the judge if she
can remove it. After getting permission from judge, removing rope
and moving back three (3) feet her six (6) second time limit will start.
13. Qualified persons other than goat tying contestants will be used as
goat holders.
14. If you are holding a single performance rodeo and the entire goat
tying contestants are run at one time, you must have an extra goat in
case one of the other goats gets injured.
15. If a goat is injured, the contestants involved with the injured goat
will automatically be assigned the extra goat regardless of the possible
difference in runs or ties on the goat.
IV. Scoring and Penalties:
1. Timed event judge will not flag contestant out until time is recorded.
2. Judge is to flag time, then flag contestant out if run is not legal.
3. The tie will be passed on by a field judge and if it is not secure for
six seconds, the contestant will receive no time.
4. Contestant will receive a no time for touching the goat or tie string
after signaling she is finished.
5. If the contestant’s horse crosses over the rope or goat, or if the contestant’s
horse comes in contact with the goat or rope prior to the contestant
signaling for time, a ten (10) second penalty will be assessed.
6. If the goat should break away because of the fault of the horse, the
contestant will receive no time between flags.
7. A five (5) second penalty will be assessed if the contestant enters the
arena without her hat on her head.
8. Time should be taken with the average of two (2) times at all
Rodeos.
V. Reruns:
1. No run will be given due to faulty or broken equipment furnished
by contestant in any event.
2. If the goat should break away, it will be left to the judges’ discretion
whether she will get a rerun.
3. When both the digital clocks malfunction and no time was recorded
from digital watches, if stock was qualified on in the field, contest97
ant will be given a rerun at a time designated by the Judges and the
Arena Director, plus any penalties.
4. If the judge sees he has made an error in flagging, he must declare
a rerun before the contestant leaves the arena.
VI. Optional Rules:
Electric timer and at least two (2) digital watches shall be used, with
the time indicated by the electric timer, or, if necessary, the average of
the watches used by the official timers to be the official time. Optional
at State/Province Level.